Sudden Aggression

Fatekind · 09-10-2018, 02:49 PM

Hello! I'm new to this forum but a long time hamster owner.
I'm currently having problems with my current Long haired male syrian.
I adopted him about a month ago and was currently in the process of taming him. However in the last few days he hasn't been sleeping, he races through his 35 gallon bin cage, and is constantly running on his wheel. :^( When I went to go change out his food the other day he jumped up and bit my finger pretty bad. I'm not really sure what to do or what to make of this behaviour. My other long haired syrian (in a 50 gallon) never acted like this before, nor did my other 3 hamsters in the past.
Can someone give me advice or tell me what could have sparked this sudden change in behaviour?

Sasha04 · 09-11-2018, 05:54 PM

Hi and welcome to HC!
Has his environment changed at all? Did he get moved to a different room or cage? Has there been new sounds? This sometimes can affect hams behavior but if this is the case, he will get used to this over time. Have you been washing your hands with unscented, plain soap? Sometimes hams will pick up on the scent of your hams and think it’s okay to have a nibble. Maybe you just moved your hand to fast and he got startled. Keep us updated!

cypher · 09-11-2018, 09:45 PM

It does sound as though something has disturbed him, in addition to what Sasha said I was wondering if you've done any cage cleaning? Full cage cleans or too frequent cage cleans can be really stressful for them.
Are there any other animals around in the same room?

Fatekind · 09-12-2018, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasha04

Hi and welcome to HC!
Has his environment changed at all? Did he get moved to a different room or cage? Has there been new sounds? This sometimes can affect hams behavior but if this is the case, he will get used to this over time. Have you been washing your hands with unscented, plain soap? Sometimes hams will pick up on the scent of your hams and think it’s okay to have a nibble. Maybe you just moved your hand to fast and he got startled. Keep us updated!

I think I may have found the problem! There was a 2 inch long house centipede in his cage!

I don't know how it got in since they don't have the traction to climb up plastic but once i killed it and got it out of his cage he seemed to be back to his normal slightly angsty self!

Fatekind · 09-12-2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It does sound as though something has disturbed him, in addition to what Sasha said I was wondering if you've done any cage cleaning? Full cage cleans or too frequent cage cleans can be really stressful for them.
Are there any other animals around in the same room?

I change out their bedding at least every other week, and try my best to do spot cleaning through that short time. The only other animal that lives in the room with me and Fawny (the long haired male) is my long haired fem syrian, 우유. She lives in a separate bin on the other side of the room! I do have a small dog that ventures in and out of my room but when I leave for work or school I leave my door close so she can't bother the hammies.

cypher · 09-12-2018, 10:09 PM

Good to hear you found what might have been causing the problem!
I would cut back on cleaning though, if you spot clean you only need do a partial clean every 4 weeks or even less often just cleaning areas that need to be done, never do the whole cage at once & always put back some of the nest & food hoard when you clean those areas, if you try that he will be happier & less stressed.

Fatekind · 09-13-2018, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Good to hear you found what might have been causing the problem!
I would cut back on cleaning though, if you spot clean you only need do a partial clean every 4 weeks or even less often just cleaning areas that need to be done, never do the whole cage at once & always put back some of the nest & food hoard when you clean those areas, if you try that he will be happier & less stressed.

I try not to do a full clean too often but the only reason I do is bc my parents complain about the smell (even when I spot clean!) So in order to please them I try to clean every other week. If I don't my mom makes me pay 50 bucks a week as a "Fine". It's wild fam hahaha orz

Hammy992 · 09-14-2018, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fatekind

I try not to do a full clean too often but the only reason I do is bc my parents complain about the smell (even when I spot clean!) So in order to please them I try to clean every other week. If I don't my mom makes me pay 50 bucks a week as a "Fine". It's wild fam hahaha orz

Have you tried using a potty for your hamster? This is a great way to reduce the smell and allow you to leave the rest of the bedding in the cage for a longer time.
Hamsters usually pee in a particular corner so once you find it just put a small container filled with bathing sand there and sprinkle a bit of the soiled bedding on top. Your hamster should quickly take to using it and you can empty that out every few days which will greatly reduce the smell of the cage.